By SCM Sports Writer I Monday, Nov. 10, 2025
DOHA, Qatar – The Samba Boys suffered a major Group H scare yesterday as minnows Zambia held them to a shock 1-1 draw at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
In a result that will have bookies in a sweat, the young Seleção stars—who were expected to stroll through the group—were frustrated by the determined Zambians in a surprisingly tense affair played out not in a glittering stadium, but on the humble Aspire Zone – Pitch 4 in Doha.
The modest setting of the Aspire Zone training facility, a far cry from the huge arenas of the World Cup proper, seemed to level the playing field, making the shock result all the more embarrassing for the South American giants.
Brazil took the lead midway through the first half with a clinical strike from starlet L. Guedes.
Everyone thought the floodgates would open, but the determined “Junior Chipolopolo” had other ideas!
Despite their illustrious opponents, the Zambians dug in, defending like lions, and were rewarded just after the hour mark.
A swift counter-attack saw skipper J. Kalimina finish coolly to send the Zambian bench wild and leave the Brazilian coaching staff fuming on the sidelines of the unglamorous Pitch 4.
The result means both sides, who had already qualified for the knockout stages, finish on seven points, with Brazil taking Group H top spot on superior goal difference.
But for the fans back home, the real headline isn’t the table—it’s that the mighty Brazil were forced to share the spoils on a training pitch with a team making history in their first-ever tournament.
